Press for cornstalks



(No Model.)

T. L.VOUGHT.

, v PRESS FOR GQRNSTALKS, w. No. 281,417. Patented July '17, 1883-.-

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UNITED STATES j PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. VOUGHT, OF MADELIA, MINNESOTA.

PRESS FOR CORNSTALKS, 80c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,417, dated July 17, 1883,

Application filed November 21, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs L. VOUGHT, of Madelia, in the county of Watonwan and State of Minnesota, have invented a new'and useful corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure l is a planview of my improvement, the coverbeing shown as raised into avertical position. Fig. 2 is asectional elevation of the same, taken through the linear w m, Fig. l.

The especial object of this invention is to facilitate the compression of cornstalks, straw, hay, and other combustible substances into bundles for fuel.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

A is the frame, the upright bars of which project above the horizontal bars A to form a box to receive the material to be compressed.

B is the cover, which is connected with the upper ends of the outer rear uprights of the frame A by hinges O. The cover B is formed of a board or frame having crossbars B attached to its lower side to form grooves or spaces, through which cords can be passed for tying the bundles. v

The rear side of the box is formed of a board, D, which rests against the upwardlyprojecting ends of the rear uprights of the frame A, and is held in place by keepers E attached to it, and which receives the upper ends of the intermediate uprights of the said frame. The forward side of the box is formed of a board, F, attached at the center of its outer side to the inner end of a bar, G, so that the said board F will serve as a follower in compressing the bundle. The inner sides of the boards D F can have cross-bars or cleats D F respectively attached to them, to form grooves or spaces to pass the cords through in tying the bundles. The bar G passes through a keeper, H, attached to the upper horizontal bar, at the forward side of the frame A, and

is provided with braces I, attached to it and to the end parts of the board F, to hold the said board F in position. The bar G rests and slides upon a bar, J, rigidly attached at its inner end to the upper horizontal bar at the forward side of the frame A.

To the opposite sides of the outer end of the barJ are attached the lower ends of two standards, K, which serve as guides to cause the bar G to move forward and back in a straight line.

To the upper side of the follower-bar G is attached, or upon it is formed, a ratchet-bar, L, with the teeth of which engages the end of a lever, M, placed between the standards K. The fulcrum-pin N of the lever M passes through and works in short vertical slots 0 in the standards K, so that the saidlever M will have the play necessary to allow it to operate the ratchet-bar L. With this construction, by operating the lever M, the bar G and boardF can be forced forward to compress a bundle of cornstalks or other material. The board F and bar G are held in place,while the lever M is being swung back for another stroke, by a pawl, P, pivoted to and between the standards K, and which engages with the teeth of the ratchet-bar L, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The cover D is held down, while the bundle is being pressed, by hooks Q, pivoted to the frame A in such positions that when swung forward they will engage with the free edge of the said cover, as shown in Fig. 2.

In using the press, a sufficient quantity of the cornstalks, straw, hay, or other combustible substance to form abundle is placed in the press-box, the cover B is turned down and secured by the hooks Q, and the lever M is op erated to force the board F forward and compress the substance to the desired compactness. The bundle is then tied with a sufficient number of cords, and the pressure upon it is released. The tied bundle is then pushed forward, and is cut into such lengths as the size of the fire-box of the stove or furnace in which the fuel is to be burned may require, care being taken to have at least one cord to each length cut off from the bundle. The bundle is cut by a knife, R, pivoted to the frame A in such a position that it will cut the bundle as it projects from the end of the press-box. This construction adapts the press to be used as a straw-cutter for cutting hay and straw for feed.

IOO

projecting bar G, guided in keeper H and between the parallel uprights or standards K,

aifixed to a support, J, said bar G having a 15 rack, L, the holding-pawl P, and the lever M, said lever having a vertical slot, 0, to permit its fulcrum to have play in operating the rackbar with the follower, as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS L. VOUGHT. Witnesses:

F. L. J ANES, MARTIN BURKE. 

